A seven-year-old Nuneaton boy has undergone surgery to remove an air gun pellet after being fired on outside his home.

Warwickshire Police said the youngster was hit in the buttock as he and his four-year-old brother played in the garden of a house in Prince's Street.

Detective Constable Andy Denny, from Nuneaton CID, said: "The little boy ran in to his house in tears following the incident and was taken to the George Elliot Hospital, where the pellet was removed under anaesthetic.

"We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything to get in touch.

"We do not know if the person who did this was walking along the street or drove past in a car, but this was a terrifying experience for this little boy and he was in a great deal of pain as a result of the injuries."

Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC Denny at Nuneaton CID on 02476 641111 (ext 3170) or phone the confidential Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555111.